Nalini Method Story

Nalini is the Hindu word for lotus. It is also my mother, Nalini Pinak Mehta’s namesake.

The lotus flower starts small, growing from the bottom of a pond, pushing through mud and muck. As it slowly rises towards the light above the water, the lotus remains unsoiled. Only when it reaches the surface does the lotus bud begin to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower.

So when it came time, thirteen years ago, to name my business, calling it the Nalini Method was a no-brainer.

Not only did it honor the journey of the lotus flower, it was named after one of the healthiest people I know, my mom.

I wanted to create a fitness community that emanated the feeling I had around my mom― a feeling of being accepted, encouraged, nurtured, and challenged. Through idealistic eyes, I thought that if others could experience even a little of what I was blessed with growing up that the world would be a better place.

My vision for Nalini Method is to create a space for people to connect to their lives. I believe that if we can connect to our greatest bodies, minds and hearts, then we can all collectively transform the world.

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Rupa’s Story

I’ve been teaching fitness since 2001 and I know that good physical fitness can never exist without good emotional fitness.

If you’re trying to be healthier physically, it’s not just about the six-pack, perky butt, and the celeb-of-the-month arms. It’s about feeling confident, optimistic, resilient, and satisfied with your emotional life, too.

I started the Nalini Method in 2003 because I saw an enormous void in the fitness world. I wanted to develop a simple, highly accessible, preventive wellness system with great personalized potential and effectiveness: a workout that is as active emotionally as it is physically. A system with long-lasting effects and results that could be felt outside of your workout time that spill into your relationships and life; a system that tackles emotional and physical weight head-on and puts an even degree of importance on both.

In 2008, I wrote my first book, called Connect to Your One. Truly, it is a love letter to my parents; a thank you for the lessons they taught me and serves as the genesis of my concept of emotional weight. Connect to Your One explains what it means to ‘lose the weight of words’ and connect to the ONE WORD that inspires and drives a person’s life. My one word is CONNECT. For me, there is nothing like a real-time connection.

The pride and joy of my career has been NaliniKIDS , a classroom-based fitness and emotional literacy program geared towards middle schoolers. There is no better feeling for me than to see to see kids gain confidence and clarity from thoughtfully connecting to their minds and bodies‎.

Thank you for being a part of the Nalini Method community and your interest in reading my story. I am excited to support you on your journey to not only becoming physically healthier but also to feeling emotionally balanced and confident in your life!

As a fitness instructor for over fifteen years, I know that good physical fitness can never exist without good emotional fitness.

If you’re trying to be healthier physically, it’s not just about the six-pack, perky butt, and the celeb-of-the-month arms. It’s about feeling confident, optimistic, resilient, and satisfied with your emotional life, too.

I started the Nalini Method in 2003 because I saw an enormous void in the fitness world. I wanted to develop a simple, highly accessible, preventive wellness system with great personalized potential and effectiveness: a workout that is as active emotionally as it is physically. A system with long-lasting effects and results that could be felt outside of your workout time that spill into your relationships and life; a system that tackles emotional and physical weight head-on and puts an even degree of importance on both.

In 2008, I wrote my first book, called Connect to Your One. Truly, it is a love letter to my parents; a thank you for the lessons they taught me and serves as the genesis of my concept of emotional weight. Connect to Your One explains what it means to ‘lose the weight of words’ and connect to the ONE WORD that inspires and drives a person’s life. My one word is CONNECT. For me, there is nothing like a real-time connection.

The pride and joy of my career has been NaliniKIDS , a classroom-based fitness and emotional literacy program geared towards middle schoolers. There is no better feeling for me than to see to see kids gain confidence and clarity from thoughtfully connecting to their minds and bodies‎.

Thank you for being a part of the Nalini Method community and your interest in reading my story. I am excited to support you on your journey to not only becoming physically healthier but also to feeling emotionally balanced and confident in your life!

Want to #ConnectwithRupa?
Watch these short videos to hear Rupa answer client questions about physical and emotional wellness:

NaliniKIDS Story

NaliniKIDS, created in 2009, is a one-of-a-kind wellness curriculum that takes an academic approach to teaching the non-academic subjects of physical education and emotional literacy.

Our mission is to teach kids the value of physical and emotional fitness. We do this by training elementary and middle school teachers in the NaliniKIDS curriculum, which helps students experience academic subjects through the lens of physical and emotional fitness.

By participating in discussion-based lessons and activities, students learn to focus on becoming aware of and able to articulate their emotions. These lessons, taught through NaliniKIDS founder Rupa Mehta’s book, Connect To Your One, are followed by an empowering workout (inspired by our signature Nalini Method class!).

NaliniKIDS graduates demonstrate improvements in classroom focus, academic achievement and emotional well-being. The program has also had an incredible impact on NaliniTEACHERS, the pioneering teachers who integrate this innovative curriculum into their school day. NaliniTEACHERS experience a deeper and more effective connection with their students and become more fulfilled and energized by their work.

NaliniKIDS is in partnership with the New York City Department of Education and is currently the focus of a research study being conducted by Columbia University Teacher’s College.

Visit the NaliniKIDS website and sign up for the email list to stay up-to-date and learn how you can get involved!

Press Coverage

Selected as “one of the only 4 books you’ll need to get buff in 2016!”

– NY Post

“This lively mind-body program should appeal to readers who are looking to promote health in their lives
and is appropriate for all ages and skill levels.”

– Publisher’s Weekly

“Mehta is the Rachael Ray of fitness.”

– New York Post

“Next time you kick off your shoes, try a little fancy footwork from Rupa.”

– O, The Oprah Magazine

“One of the All-Time Best Workouts in New York City.”

– NBC News

“Rupa Mehta is a pint-sized guru.”

– Vogue

“[The Nalini Method] puts a new twist on the
downward dog.”

– InStyle Magazine

“[The Nalini Method] is an exercise regime suitable for anyone looking for results
minus the boredom of yoga classes and tedious gym sessions.”

You are now leaving the Nalini Method website and entering
the NaliniKIDS website.
NaliniKIDS is a nonprofit organization that provides services to school age children at underserved schools during the school day. The Nalini Method is a for-profit business that provides health and fitness classes to the general public.
Please click below to proceed to the NaliniKIDS site:

You are now leaving the Nalini Method website and entering
the NaliniKIDS website.
NaliniKIDS is a nonprofit organization that provides services to school age children at underserved schools during the school day. The Nalini Method is a for-profit business that provides health and fitness classes to the general public.
Please click below to proceed to the NaliniKIDS site:

You are now leaving the Nalini Method website and entering
the NaliniKIDS website.
NaliniKIDS is a nonprofit organization that provides services to school age children at underserved schools during the school day. The Nalini Method is a for-profit business that provides health and fitness classes to the general public.
Please click below to proceed to the NaliniKIDS site:

You are now leaving the Nalini Method website and entering
the NaliniKIDS website.
NaliniKIDS is a nonprofit organization that provides services to school age children at underserved schools during the school day. The Nalini Method is a for-profit business that provides health and fitness classes to the general public.
Please click below to proceed to the NaliniKIDS site: